Mudiad Meithrin’s training scheme, Cam Wrth Gam, which trains over 100 students a year in an early years qualification, is about to start a new phase under a new Welsh Government grant program.
This follows an announcement today by the Welsh Government that Mudiad Meithrin will lead the National Training Scheme project for the next three years.
Mudiad Meithrin will use the new grant to create a training and staff qualification plan building on the Mudiad’s established training expertise under the Cam wrth Gam training program.
Cam wrth Gam was originally established over twenty years ago providing recognized early years training and qualifications to create a workforce qualified to work in Cylchoedd Meithrin and nurseries across Wales. Since 2004, over 4,000 people have received a qualification through the program.
Under the new grant program, Mudiad Meithrin will aim to train and qualify 300 new students by 2028.
Announcing the new programme, the Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said,
“Mudiad Meithrin has a long-standing track record in promoting and supporting Welsh-medium early years provision, and the Welsh Government is proud to be working with them to deliver the Cam Wrth Gam National Training Programme.
“This important programme will support our ambition of increasing the number of Welsh speakers by expanding the availability of skilled, confident Welsh-speaking childcare staff across Wales.”
Dr Catrin Edwards, Chief Executive of Mudiad Meithrin, welcomed the new grant and added, “As a national organization recognized as ‘Welsh early years specialist’ in Wales and beyond, ensuring a qualified workforce, with skills in Welsh, to work in the early years is one of Mudiad Meithrin’s strategic priorities.
“We are proud that the Welsh Government recognizes the work that the Mudiad does to strengthen the Welsh-medium early years sector, and we are pleased by the continuation of their investment in the Cam wrth Gam program, which receives a grant for the next three years to lead the National Training Scheme. The Mudiad looks forward to providing this training to strengthen our workforce, thereby raising confidence, knowledge, and skills within the early years workforce.”
Cam wrth Gam offers courses that enable students to gain a Level 3 Qualification in Child Care, Play, Learning and Development and a Level 5 in Leadership and Management in Child Care, Play, Learning and Development through the medium of Welsh. Students learn under the guidance of specialist staff and gain day-to-day experience with young children.
Speaking about her experience of completing the Cam wrth Gam course, Delyth Griffiths from Cylch Meithrin Glantwymyn said,
“I enjoy learning things that are really important for my job in a Cylch Meithrin. This course introduces me to the fundamentals I need for starting children on their educational journey.”